Methyl 2-bromoacetate (methyl bromoactate) is a chemical compound with the molecular formula C
3H
5BrO
2.
Properties
Methyl 2-bromoacetate is colorless or straw-colored liquid. The smell is sharp and penetrating. It is soluble in water and also has a higher density than water.
It is incompatible with acids, bases, oxidizing agents, and reducing agents.
Application
Methyl bromoacetate is an
alkylating agent
Alkylation is the transfer of an alkyl group from one molecule to another. The alkyl group may be transferred as an alkyl carbocation, a free radical, a carbanion, or a carbene (or their equivalents). Alkylating agents are reagents for effecting al ...
. It has been used to alkylate
phenol
Phenol (also called carbolic acid) is an aromatic organic compound with the molecular formula . It is a white crystalline solid that is volatile. The molecule consists of a phenyl group () bonded to a hydroxy group (). Mildly acidic, it req ...
and
amino group
In chemistry, amines (, ) are compounds and functional groups that contain a basic nitrogen atom with a lone pair. Amines are formally derivatives of ammonia (), wherein one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced by a substituent such ...
s.
Moreover, it can be used to make
vitamin
A vitamin is an organic molecule (or a set of molecules closely related chemically, i.e. vitamers) that is an Nutrient#Essential nutrients, essential micronutrient that an organism needs in small quantities for the proper functioning of its ...
s and
pharmaceutical drug
A medication (also called medicament, medicine, pharmaceutical drug, medicinal drug or simply drug) is a drug used to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease. Drug therapy (pharmacotherapy) is an important part of the medical field and re ...
s. It is commonly used as a reagent in chemical modification of histidine.
In addition, methyl bromoacetate also use in synthesize of coumarins and cis-cyclopropane. It reacts with conjugated base and produce alkylated carbene complexes.
Safety
Methyl bromoacetate can be toxic by ingestion and inhalation. It can also irritate the skin and eyes.
See also
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Ethyl bromoacetate
Ethyl bromoacetate is the chemical compound with the formula CH2BrCO2C2H5. It is the ethyl ester of bromoacetic acid and is prepared in two steps from acetic acid. It is a lachrymator and has a fruity, pungent odor. It is also a highly toxic alky ...
References
Extra reading
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{{Chemical agents
Organobromides
Methyl esters
Alkylating agents
Lachrymatory agents